Braces can be a fun and exciting treatment option, aligning your teeth while offering a unique aesthetic appeal. However, keeping your teeth and braces clean is non-negotiable to keeping your smile bright and beaming.
This brings us to one of the most asked questions from our braces wearers: “How do you prevent stains while wearing braces?”
At Beim Orthodontics, we offer reliable braces that suit your needs and work with your lifestyle. Regardless of your exact treatment option, here are a couple of care tips to prevent staining your braces.
What Stains Your Braces?
Various factors can cause staining or discoloration and have varying effects depending on the kind of braces you have. Metal braces are generally more resistant to staining, but you can still end up with stains caused by plaque. If left uncared for, plaque build-up will eventually corrode the metal in your brackets and archwires. On the other hand, ceramic braces don’t corrode, but they are more prone to staining from certain foods and certain drinks.
The primary culprits for braces staining include the following:
- Food and drink
Some foods and drinks have strong pigmentation that can stick to your teeth and your braces, causing discoloration over time. Some of the most common items include coffee, tea, soft drinks, and berries.
- Poor oral hygiene
Missing out on your regular cleaning—brushing, flossing, and gargling—could cause harmful plaque to build up on the surface and gaps. As mentioned, when not cleaned properly, bacteria can eventually corrode your metal braces. Plaque can also stick to your brackets and discolor your ceramic braces, leaving stains not only on them but also on your teeth.
- Smoking or tobacco use
Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco will stain your teeth and braces. Smoking vape also stains your teeth, although metal braces are more resistant than their ceramic counterparts.
- Medication
Some medicines contain strong materials that can also stain your braces. For example, chlorhexidine is an antibacterial mouthwash often recommended for gum disease and oral infection. While effective in most cases, it has the side effect of leaving a brownish stain. The same goes for medicines or supplements containing high levels of iron, aside from causing a darker color on the tongue.
By being aware of what can cause staining to your teeth, you can make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle. For example, you can avoid eating certain foods or find an alternative to smoking, all to prevent staining your braces.
Proper Oral Hygiene to Prevent Staining
Taking good care of your braces is still the best way to keep your braces clear and bright. If you’re taking medicines or regularly eating foods that can cause stains, the best thing you can do is to observe proper oral hygiene. Our team at Lake Mary will walk you through the correct way to take care of your braces.
Tooth Brushing for Braces
Brushing removes any debris from food, tobacco products, or medication. Here are a few tips for brushing your teeth from Dr. Beim and the Beim Orthodontics team.
- Use a Soft-Bristled Brush: Soft-bristled toothbrushes are gentler and safer on your gums. Fine and soft bristles also reach smaller gaps around your brackets and wires.
- Brush After Every Meal: This is a non-negotiable for stain-free braces. Brushing shortly after meals removes food particles, preventing gunk on the gums and plaque on the teeth — both of which can discolor your braces. If brushing immediately isn’t possible, rinse your mouth with clean water.
- Hold Your Toothbrush Properly: Correct brushing is done at a 45-degree angle to your gum line, with gentle brushing in a circular motion. Pay attention to your brackets and wires so you can cover every corner.
- Consider Using an Electric Toothbrush: Modern toothbrushes come in two types. Oscillating toothbrushes have a moving head whose rotating bristles remove food debris. Sonic brush heads use ultrasonic waves to dislodge plaque and food leftovers from teeth and braces.
Flossing Effectively to Help Avoid Stains
Contrary to misconceptions, flossing is an essential part of braces care. Removing food materials from between your teeth prevents plaque buildup, ensuring no bacteria stains or corrodes your braces.
Floss threaders are particularly useful for guiding your dental floss under the archwires, through the corners of your brackets, and between teeth. Conversely, you can also check out water flossers to rinse out food particles and plaque, even on parts you can’t normally see or reach.
Watch Your Diet
Taking charge of your everyday diet plays a big role in minimizing the risks of staining your braces. If possible, limit your intake of strongly pigmented foods and drinks like red wine, coffee, and dark-colored fruits like berries.
Hydration is also necessary. Aside from brushing and rinsing after every meal, drinking enough water keeps your mouth hydrated and makes it easy to flush out debris or plaque instead of sticking to your teeth and braces. Dentist-approved sugar-free chewing gums can also help keep your mouth well hydrated by encouraging saliva production.
Regular Appointments with an Orthodontist
Lastly, regular appointments with your orthodontist help keep your braces clean and ensure they’re working properly. Your regular visits with Dr. Beim keep your treatment progress on track. Regular adjustments ensure that the brackets and archwires apply the correct pressure and are installed properly. Additionally, our check-ups let us monitor your oral health and offer recommendations to avoid staining or damaging your braces.
Achieve Straight Smiles With Beim Orthodontics
You don’t have to miss out on life, even while wearing braces. With Beim Orthodontics at your side, you can confidently face the challenges that come with your orthodontic treatment. If you’re ready to get your dream smile, schedule your free consultation, and we’ll help you get started!